Seasonal Outdoor Educator

Appalachian Mountain Club; Gorham (NH); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Room & Board

Insurance

403(b) Retirement

PTO: up to 10 days

Merchandise discount

Annual AMC Membership

Free lodging nights

Job summary

Appalachian Mountain Club seeks an Educator to lead school groups (K–12) and later families and adults through hiking, backpacking, and occasional canoe trips. You will teach climate, ecology, map-reading, weather, and Leave No Trace principles in an experiential, student-centered setting.

The role emphasizes safety, inclusivity, and collaboration, with duties spanning curriculum development, gear organization, and inter-department teamwork during the April–October season.

Qualifications

• Wilderness First-Aid & CPR certification (WFR preferred) or ability to obtain certification before starting employment.
• Bachelor’s degree with natural sciences/experiential education coursework or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Valid driving record and ability to obtain DOT medical clearance to drive AMC vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Lead single and multi-day hiking trips for youth, adults, and families.
• Deliver place-based environmental education and leadership lessons.
• Create an inclusive, safe learning environment and positive group culture.
• Assess and manage safety and risk in backcountry settings; make decisions for group welfare.
• Provide wilderness medical care and model Leave No Trace ethics.
• Collaborate across AMC departments and assist with logistics, gear, and supplies.
• Travel to AMC lodges, huts, and shelters; drive 12-passenger vans as needed.

Skills

Youth leadership

Outdoor education

Risk management

Wilderness first aid

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Season Dates: April 7- October 29, 2027Summary DescriptionAppalachian Mountain Club (AMC) offers an engaging slate of staff-led outdoor experiences for the youth, adults, and families, which promote the appreciation, understanding, enjoyment, and responsible use of natural resources. We provide people of all ages and backgrounds with the skills to enjoy the outdoors and an increased understanding of their connection to the natural world.The Educator will lead educational programs and trips for school groups in grades K through 12 during the school program season, April-June and September-October. In the summer months of July and August, the audiences will expand to also include families and adults within similarly structured outdoor programming.The Educator is a responsible, energetic individual who is excited to share their knowledge and love of the outdoors with young people. Academic lessons on climate change, forest and watershed ecology, map and compass, geology, weather and climate, outdoor skills, community building, and leadership development are integrated and taught in a nature- and student-centered hiking-based program. The Educator will lead trips, manage risk, facilitate learning, and act as an interpretive and informational resource to participants and guests, providing high-quality, joyous experiences outdoors.What you'll be doing at AMCLead and facilitate single and multi-day hiking, backpacking, and occasional canoeing trips for youth, adults, and families.Implement thematic, place-based environmental education, leadership, and community-building lesson plans that meet the needs of diverse participant populations.Create and foster an inclusive group culture and learning environment among participants and co-workers.Prioritize safety and manage risk of participants in backcountry settings, assessing both environmental and human risk and making decisions that benefit both the group and individual experience.Provide wilderness medical care.Model responsible behavior in the outdoors and Leave No Trace ethics.Work independently or collaboratively on projects including, but not limited to, curriculum development, the creation of teaching tools, and other logistical tasks.Work collaboratively across departments at AMC.Perform logistics functions for the program including issuing, collecting, cleaning, and maintaining gear, preparing teaching supplies, ordering and organizing food, and assisting with gear and supplies inventories.Travel to and be familiar with operations of AMC lodges, backcountry huts, and shelters.Drive 12-passenger vans carrying participants.What AMC is looking forFriendly and flexible personality with a commitment and enthusiasm for teaching youthDemonstrated experience leading student/youth groups in the backcountryExperiential teaching experienceCommitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and ability to work with youth across a wide variety of backgrounds and experiencesAbility to effectively collaborate and communicate with co-leaders.Ability to create an emotionally safe and inclusive learning environment, create a positive group culture, and build healthy rapport with youthWilderness First-Aid & CPR certification (WFR preferred) or the ability to obtain certification prior to starting employmentBachelor’s degree with course work in natural sciences, experiential education, or related field, or equivalent work experienceWork requires frequent backcountry travel. Requires ability to hike 6 – 8 miles per day on uneven terrain, carrying a backpack and other equipment up to 40 pounds, in all weather conditionsWillingness to work long hours in mentally and physically demanding conditionsSatisfactory driving record and background check, as verified by state record check21+ years old and ability to obtain DOT medical clearance to drive vehicles strongly preferredWhat AMC Can Offer YouSalary Range: $16.00/hourWe are committed to fair compensation practices, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents our starting point, and our compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of our employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey with us at the starting point of the salary range. The final compensation offer will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills and geographic differential relevant to the position, and will be discussed during the interview process.BenefitsRoom & Board: Dorm-style room for $75/week – meals included, too!Insurance: Available with positions that are 6 months or longer and when working greater than 30 hours per weekRetirement: Voluntary 403(b) ContributionPaid Time Off: earn up to 10 days of paid earned time depending on length of serviceOther Team Member Perks:30% discount on AMC MerchandiseFree Annual AMC Membership4 Free nights at AMC locationsProdeals discounts on equipment & gear and more!To Apply:Please include a resume and letter of interest. No phone calls or agencies please.AMC’s commitment to working at the intersection of people and the outdoors extends to our hiring process. Every application is reviewed by real people and our team does not use AI to screen candidates or replace human judgment.As we review your resume and setup interviews, our goal is to get to know you as an individual. While AI may be a helpful preparation tool, it is important to know that our priority is to understand your unique voice, experience, and perspective. If your application includes a writing prompt, please be prepared to discuss your reasoning and approach.AMC encourages all interested candidates to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification. If you have a passion for the outdoors and believe your skills and experiences align with this role, we welcome your application.The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility that serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.